DfT development funding for Stratford improvements

Passenger numbers continue to grow at London’s busiest non-terminal station.

NETWORK Rail has secured a £2m boost of development funding from the Department of Transport (DfT) towards plans to help relieve congestion at London’s Stratford station. The funding will allow Network Rail to develop an Outline Business Case which will need to be submitted to the DfT in 2022 to seek approval for further funding to progress with the work.

Since the 2012 Olympics, Stratford Station has been a key interchange in Zone 2 for passengers in east London and with it a huge growth in passenger numbers – nearly 42 million passengers between 2019 and 2020, making Stratford the busiest nonterminal station in London.

As the area regenerates, passenger numbers will increase further, more so when the full Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) opens next year.

At peak times, the station can be very busy and requires congestion management measures including one-way systems around the station and onto the platforms to maintain passenger safety.

Planning

The DfT funding will help Network Rail to develop plans for the TfL managed station in order to maintain safety of the station environment but also improve the overall station experience for future growth. Subject to approval and further funding, the improvements will lead to more room on specific platforms and around entrances to improve circulation space. Other changes could include improved information screens and wayfinding.

Network Rail says the work could take place in phases and passengers may begin to see the first phase of work taking place between late 2022 and 2024 with the potential for more work over the next five years.